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Tag Archives: Post-war

This pretty raspberry-colored midi frock has nice details. Love the shoulder treatment that broadens without the heavy shoulder pads! The coat-style button front is different, too, and the belt that buckles in the back with a point in front (or back, as you wish) makes it easy for me to date it almost exactly.

I’ll enjoy wearing this one with its slim lines and adjustable front hem opening. Very versatile and, again, very vintage – New Wave did it pretty well. More on the way. . . . . . . . . . . . .

I’ve had really good fortune finding clutch handbags recently and several have been leather. It’s always fun to find party bags like the one below but most are made of cloth or vinyl – even the old ones – a true vintage leather bag is a real treasure!

The bag on top, however, is my greatest love. It’s from the Forties or Fifties and is SO elegant. The style is superbly simple, but the design is unusual. Picture holding the bag with both hands, with the front facing you as in the photo. Place your thumbs on the metal tabs at each side and push gently – that releases the clasps to open the bag! I love the creative closures that are on many of the best vintage handbags. Some of them locked in place, and it was a puzzle to figure out how to release them the first time. This bag posed that problem to me for a few seconds.

Both these handbags have smooth, clean linings and pretty pockets inside. I’ve been fortunate enough to discover accessory items which were really well cared-for by their original owners so have hardly any damage. Many women used to tuck them away in drawers and closets with tissue-paper wrappings and stuffing, saving and protecting them for the next special occasion – or for the next woman who would love them. . . . . . .

Made of the finest Scottish wool and specially tailored for a specific brand name. Very nice detail on the jacket front, and in back it’s got a little belt with a center button that matches the silver ones on the pockets. The skirt is straight style with a back kick pleat.

A little big on me, but it might be worth having it altered to fit. I can’t get enough of the gorgeous jackets from that time and a pencil skirt is always wonderful. Classic mid-grey, also, is great to have on hand in mix-able pieces. I’m thrilled! One of the handbags I’ll show you tomorrow would look just lovely with this . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dark navy and white, with clear buttons all-the-way down the front. Almost a tea dress, but very North American. So smart not to spoil the print and pretty lines while still making it super-easy on and off. I really appreciate the good tailoring that could still be found on low- and mid-priced dresses in the Seventies and early Eighties.

Love the nipped-waist fit and cute pocket flaps at the hips. It’s a simple dress, but with so much FIT and figure-enhancing detail. It will be another go-to frock on hot days this summer. Soon we’ll be heading into Fall and even Holiday styles – stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . .

Love this frock! They had such fun print designs then. This one’s a bit atomic – hope they’re not supposed to be bombs. The wide collar, sleeve cuffs, fabric-covered buttons and bronze color give unusual touches to this example. The original belt would probably have been covered with the same material as the dress.

It’s got some stain damage down near the hem from bleach or a storage spill, but I don’t care. Those kinds of accidents were so common in mid-century laundry rooms and have, unhappily, occurred also to many garments that were stored in basements along with chemicals and cans of paint. As much as I love finding items that are in pristine condition, sometimes the little dings and dirt add a certain je ne sais quoi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This is my final “new” hat-find, for now. I’m always tickled to have the original box for any of my hats! In this case, I don’t know the brand of the hat (if there was one) but I know WHERE it came from. The department store Famous-Barr in St. Louis, MO was a division of the Macy’s chain for decades and finally closed in 2013. It had evolved in the early 20th century from two other store members of the Federated Department Stores organization and opened in 1914. The old department stores were such fun and so exciting for women, where they could receive very personal and professional service – now we just see glimpses of them in classic movies. Modern malls and superstores can’t compare.

Anyway, this “pretty” with a black velvet crown, bow decoration and a lacy woven ribbon brim is elegant without the weight of heavier styles that might dominate during the colder months. This one lets you carry the season-less drama of black into Summer and early Fall. Works for me . . . . . . . . .